Police hunting suspected gunman, 32, after mass shooting on Kentucky highway

At least five people are believed to have been shot near I-75 in Kentucky and a manhunt is underway for the suspect, 32-year-old Joseph A Couch, according to authorities.

Just after 6.30pm, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office announced that interstate highway at Exit 49 and US 25 — nine miles north of London — was closed due to an “active shooter situation.” The highway has since reopened — but the search for Couch continues.

After 8.30pm, the sheriff’s office identified Couch as the “person of interest” in the shooting. Authorities warned against approaching him. He is considered “armed and dangerous.”

The shooter is still at large, Randall Weddle, the mayor of London, said.

“The subject or subjects have not been apprehended,” he said but emphasized that authorities are searching for the suspect in an area of “rugged terrain and a lot of tree lines.”

Although initial reports said ‘numerous persons’ had been shot, Weddle clarified that seven people were injured and none have died. In a Facebook video update, he added that not all of the injuries were due to gunshot wounds — some were wounded “due to an accident.” Five people were shot in the incident, a Laurel County Sheriff’s Office deputy told the New York Times .

The victims have not been named and their conditions are not immediately known.

The White House has reached out to the mayor, he said.

The Independent has emailed a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office for more information.

“The Suspect has not been caught at this time we are urging people to stay inside!!We will try our best to get you as much information as it becomes available!!” Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington wrote on Facebook just after 7pm.

The state’s governor, Andy Beshear, urged locals to avoid the area in a post on X: “Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County. Law enforcement has shut the interstate down in both directions at exit 49. Please avoid the area. We will provide more details once they are available.” He added: “Please pray for everyone involved.”

Laurel County legislators issue a statement condemning “senseless violence” on Saturday evening:

“While the situation at I-75 and US 25 is ongoing, we ask community members to avoid the area and request those who live in the vicinity remain in their homes as local law enforcement and the Kentucky State Police work,” the statement read. “As we continue to learn more about this attack, we ask for prayers for everyone involved, the victims, their families, and the first responders. Without a doubt, this is an act of senseless violence that does not reflect the values of this community, our Commonwealth, or its people.”